I have deeper thoughts about I Love You, Man. More so than what the comic might suggest.
When I saw the trailers for this a few months ago, I was really pumped to see it. Mostly because I am nurturing a serious man-crush for Paul Rudd and will watch anything he’s in.
But as time went on, I started asking myself “What is this movie?” The plot is simple enough. A man (Rudd) is getting married and realizes that he doesn’t have any guy friends to stand up on the altar with him. So he goes on a series of “man-dates” to find a new best friend and a Best Man for his wedding.
If you stop and think about it and if the genders were the opposite… wouldn’t this be a chick flick?
Both Rudd and co-star Jason Segel have gone on record stating that they don’t like how their film has been categorized as a “bromance.” But what else can you call it? Personally, I think it’s more fitting to label I Love You, Man a “bromance” such than other films that have been identified in that way. Knocked Up or Pineapple Express, for example.
Here’s another question… It’s shown in the trailer that Rudd’s character has both a brother and a father who is still alive. Why does he not ask either of them to be his Best Man. I don’t mean to judge the film based on the trailer (and hopefully they acknowledge the issue in the movie) but give us something to hang our hat in during the preview so we’re not asking dumb questions like that. A throw away line. ANYTHING!
“Hey, brother. Wanna be my best man?”
“No.”
“Dad?”
“No.”
#smash cut to a hilarious montage of “man-dates”#
Whatever. I’m totally seeing I Love You, Man this weekend anyway. Like I said, I have a man-crush to tend to.
Incidentally, while I was researching information about I Love You, Man, I came across this video of a performance in Rudd’s cannon I’m sure he’d like to forget. It’s from the Hong Kong action movie Gen-Y Cops (a sequel to the popular movie Gen-X Cops). In the film, Rudd plays F.B.I. Agent Ian Curtis (paging Joy Division!) who walks around with awesome feathered hair and highlights.
The video is a little more than 8 minutes long, but I encourage you to watch it in its entirety. You won’t be disappointed.
Gen-Y Cops came out in 2000, a few years before Rudd became more of a mainstream talent but a few years after he made his splash in Clueless. I am begging for some late night host to find this clip and show it to him when he’s making the promotional rounds for I Love You, Man. Not to make him uncomfortable, or anything. Just to hear him explain it. Rudd has a very winning self-deprecating sense of humor. I’d like to hear his take on it.
I had a couple of other things not related to the comic that I wanted to talk about today, but I think I’m going to quit while I’m ahead. It’s kind of hard to follow up with anything else after watching a video like that.
So… anyone holding out for a follow up with Gen-Z Cops?
I... I love you, too?
HA, HA, HA! No - I was talking about the hilarious ne comedy starring Paul Rudd and Jason Segel - I bought us tickets!
But now that we know your true feelings, I guess we should start sharing popcorn and holding hands, eh?
HA, HA! HA!
Were you at all turned off by the Lou Ferrigno moments in the TV spots for “I Love You, Man”? I think the Hulk being in the movie is something I would have enjoyed being surprised with when I went to see it. It looks to be only that one scene, and unless it is one hell of a scene I think they wasted what might have been a funny part of the movie by putting it in the TV spot.
Lando, I wasn’t exactly put off by the Lou Ferrigno stuff showing up in the trailer – although I do find it completely random. That’s kind of the equivalent of setting the movie in New York City and having Segel’s character roll up on Robert DeNiro doing the whole “You talkin’ to me?” bit.
Have you checked out “I Could Never Be Your Woman” yet? He’s pretty cute in that with Michelle Pfeiffer.
Er, that’s what my wife says, anyway.
Let’s not judge Paul for this. everyone needs money.lol. Also, speaking of old performances check out Segal in SLC Punk. Its a good film as well.
Interesting that they found a cocso specific shipping yard to stage the most awesome gunfight ever!
that fight at the end was ridiculous. i loved it. i need to watch this movie for laughs one day.
best. movie. ever.
i know how i’ll be spending the rest of my day. the best part is the simultaneous exclamation “The robot!”.
Another early paycheck movie for him was “Overnight Delivery” (1998) It had Paul Rudd and Reece Witherspoon paired together, which surprisingly worked out well… . it was like the whole “College Road Trip to get there in the nick of time” genre but…. i found it amusing…. (strictly due to Paul’s Humor, had he not been in it, it probably would’ve hurt to watch) There’s even got a small cameo of Sarah Silverman… playing a bitter resentful grudge holding overly cynically sarcastic coldhearted bitch… (never saw that one coming…)
Wyatt: You are an incubus. A hell-spawned incubus.
Ivy: Only a male can be an incubus, if anything, I’m a sucubus.
Wyatt: Yeah, you got the “suck” part right.
-Paul and Reece Overnight Delivery
Paul Rudd plays the self depreciating part very well, I loved him in Role Models and 40 Yr Old Virgin. The part suits him well.
Jason Segel is just plain funny, his role on HIMYM (How I Met Your Mother) is great. Both of them kind of remind me of Chris Farley/David Spade.
Segel seems like a very physical comedian and Rudd well I explained my reason above. Either way I hope to see more movies with them in the future.
Niiiiiiiice!
The level of awesomeness that is that video cannot be measured.
so…tired…..Theater Hopper is keeping me sane while I’m pulling a coursework all-nighter. Hi from a fan in Scotland by the way.
Hey, Dave! Thanks so much for the compliments! Always a treat to hear from fans overseas. I’ve been to your country. Lovely, lovely place. Went to Edinburgh and felt immediately at home there. I’d love to go back someday.